Airport strike threat
Jobs fears in security transition
SECURITY officers at Cairns Airport have not ruled out walking off the job if they are unable to negotiate fairer work conditions.
About a dozen security workers and union supporters rallied outside the airport’s domestic terminal early yesterday afternoon, in protest of the change of security contractors.
Security company Trident is replacing ISS, however, the workers’ union, United Voice, claims they will be forced to undergo interviews for their positions with the new contractor, and not everyone will be able to re-employed.
The union is concerned workers will also lose their entitlements, including accrued sick leave, holiday pay and long-service leave.
ISS, however, has assured more than 130 people employed as its security screening team at Cairns and Mackay airports that their legal entitlements are secure.
United Voice Cairns regional organiser Trish Berrill told reporters there was still uncertainty about whether all workers would be re-employed with the new contractor, and whether they would actually receive their benefits when the changeover takes place later this month.
“We’ve got our ear to the ground with our members, to try and find out what is happening with our previous ISS members coming over to the new contractor,” she said.
She said if the situation was not resolved, they would discuss potential future industrial action, including striking.
“We will be talking to members if things don’t work out correctly for us,” she said.
Cairns Airport chief operations officer Kate McCreeryCarr said the airport had been working closely with Trident on the transition of security staff since the changeover was announced.
“A full recruitment process is under way and Trident have already made job offers to the majority of our existing security staff,” she said.